Advertising and display sign



oct- 31, 19338 J c BLACK ET AL 1,932,441

ADVERTISING AND DISPLAY SIGN Filed April 30, 1932 I MO ([01312 Gil/ac]; & Gerirzzde F/Vaflfiems A TTORNE Y.

Patented Oct. 31, 1933 earns $932,44 ADVERTESENG Ann nrsrLAY SIGN John land Gertrude F. Matthews, llosAngeles, Calif.

This invention relates to an advertising and display sign, and particularly to an advert-ising' and display sign capable of being moved or oscillated, I .1

The invention is more particularly directedto advertising. and display signs to be used in gaso-v ine service stations to advertise gas and ;oil or other products sold in these stations,

The sign of this invention is based upon the psychologica-l principle that a moving object is more adapted to attract andhold attention than a stationary object. We have, therefore-constructed our sign .in such a manner that it may be moved and, preferably oscillated. The-motion thus produced is of such a character that the advertisement upon the sign may be easily read or apprehended.

In constructing our sign we prefer to elevate the sign considerably above the ground so that it may be seen at a distance. In doing so, we prefer to use a column or pillar which would harmonize with. the architectural. features of the station or other building in connection with which the sign is displayed.

avoided the great-cost of pillar construction by so constructing the column or pillar that substantially no weight is imposedupon it. This is accomplished in the preferred embodiment by porting the interior of the column or pillar by an independent structure. in this fashion the outer- The oscillation of the sign is accomplished by a mechanical motion which will give uniform oscillation in order that themotion will not be jerky, but will be smooth and uniform.

The sign maybe constructed in any fashion that may be desired, but we prefer to construct J it in the form of a hollow, thin cylinder to provide room for interior illumination; or if high tension gas illuminating signs are employed, such as neon lights, the wiring may be positioned within the cylinder to provide a smooth and uninterrupted exterior.

It is, therefore, an object of our invention to construct an attractive, movable sign upon an attractive support, preferably a pillar or columnar I structure.

Inconstructing the column or pillar, we'have means for sealing the pillar against moisture, rain and dust, while at the same time permitting the-motion of said sign. Other objects will appear to those skilled in the art by a study of the herein specification and drawing. I

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing or" which Fig. 1' is a cross section'through the columnor pillar showing the mechanism. 2 is a section. through the pillar talren at right angles to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section taken at line 3-3 of Fig. l. l is afragmentary detail of a section taken alongline l-4 of Fig. l. a 3

Referring to the drawing: 1 is a pipe nrmly,

and 9. -The weights 8 $3 carry cross arms 10' Through the cross arms are passed two The construction of and 9 is and ll. pins 12 and 13' such that they have a pendulum motion around pin7. Through the top of pipe 1 is passed a pin ll which carries pivoted thereon member 15 carrying arms 16 and 17. hrough s 16 1'7 are passed pins 1". Connecting p is 1.8 and pins 12 and 13 are connecting rods 19. Positionecl upon the member 15 is the cylindrical a closed cylinder upon which the adve tisenent maybe displayed. Connected to member 15 is a cap in the form of a spherical section 22 composed of ilat plates 23 and curved plates 24 which are in the form of an arc struck around point 14. This cap passes through an opening in the capital 5 of the pillar 3. Positioned on the capital 5 are packing plates 26 and 26 which seal the opening 25 through which the cap 22 passes. Motion is imparted by means of a motor 27 positioned. on a base 28 within the'pillar and operating the mechanism by way of worm 29 and worm gear 30 carried on bracket 31 and oscillating the pendulums 8 and 9 viacranl: 32.

Referring to the above drawing and description, it will be seen that the whole mechanism is carried upon the pipe 1 and that the pillar 3 carries only its own weight. This permits of a much cheaper cons-t uction. The rods 19 are in tension only, and this cheapens the construction as well. The rotation of the motor is transmitted through the worm and worm gear and crank 32, to the pendulums causing them to move uniformly through sections of the are within the pedestal member 20 capped with plates 21, forte" g.

4. It will be seen that in using the worm and worm gear a speed reduction of a desired amount may be obtained. Thus if a motor revolving at 1500 R. P. M. a 100 to 1 worm gear ratio, one very easily obtained, will oscillate the weights 8 and 9 fifteen complete oscillations per minute. This oscillation is imparted by way of rods 19 to the member 15 around pivot 14 and the sign 20 will, therefore, oscillate at the top of the pillar through an arc determined by the crank ratio, slowly and uniformly, approximately, if the above example is followed, fifteen times a minute. This oscillation is suficiently slow to permit the advertisement on the sign to be apprehended and yet it is sufiiciently rapid to attract and hold attention. The motion is uniform and not at all jerky.

Provision is made at the top of the pillar to seal the pillar against dust, moisture and rain. This is provided by means of the cap 22 which, being arcuate in shape at the ends, permits the arcuate ends 24 to pass through the arcuate openings 25. The sides of the cap are, preferably flat and this'permits of a sliding seal which will prevent the entrance of moisture and rain. To insure this seal are packing glands 26 and 26, which are so constructed as to be in wiping relation with the exterior of cap 22 and its sides 23' and 24, which positively seals the pillar. Access inay be had through the pillar through cap plate 26. A switch 33 and other electrical mechanism may be provided with the pillar.

It will be seen that a very cheap construction is aiforded by the above invention and that the pillar can be made cheaply and in conformity with the design and architecture of the structure in connection with which it is used and that a very simple and inexpensive, attractive and striking display sign or advertisement is afforded.

The above description is not to be taken as limiting but merely illustrative of our invention which we claim to be:

1. In combination, a hollow pillar, a sign disposed at the top of said pillar and adapted to oscillate thereupon, a support for said sign, a cap plate attached to said sign and passing through the top of said pillar to seal said pillar and to permit the oscillation of said sign, means within the pillar to oscillate said sign.

2. In combination, a hollow pillar, a sign disposed on and externally of said pillar, and adapted to oscillate thereupon, means to oscillate said.

sign disposed within said pillar, connecting said means to move said sign, a cover plate for sealing said pillar against dust and rain, said connecting means passing through the cover means, whereby the pillar is sealed throughout the path of motion of said connecting means.

4. In combination, a hollow pillar, a sign disposed on and externally of said pillar and adapted to oscillate thereupon, means for sealing said pillar against dust and rain and adapted to permit oscillation of said sign, means disposed within the pillar for moving said sign, connecting means between said last mentioned means and said sign, said connecting means passing through said sealing means, whereby the oscillating motion is imparted to the sign and whereby said sealing means seals the pillar through the path of motion of said connecting means.

5. In combination, a hollow pillar, a sign disposed on and externally of said pillar and adapted to oscillate thereupon, a cover plate for sealing said pillar, said cover plate being attached to said sign to oscillate therewith, means disposed within the pillar to move said sign, connecting means between saidsign and said last mentioned means. s

6. In combination, a hollow pillar, a sign disposed movably on and externally of said pillar, motor means disposed within the pillar to move said sign, means for comiecting said sign to said motor means, a cover for sealing said pillar, said cover being attached to said sign to move therewith.

'7. In combination, a hollow pillar, a sign disposed movably on and externally of said pillar, motor means disposed within the pillar to move said sign, means for connecting said sign to said motor means, a cover for sealing said pillar, said cover being attached to said sign to move there with, said cover sealing the pillar throughout the path of motion of said sign.

JOHN C. BLACK. GERTRUDE F. MATTHEWS. 

